It’s nothing new to read about animal rights extremists removing animals from a farm because they believe they are rescuing them from a life of mistreatment.
But a group of young people from an organization called Denver Baby Animal Save have entered territory that is at least new to me.
Not only did they apparently steal three chickens from a farm, but they also admitted to doing so with a post on Facebook. Sadly, they see what they did as noble. Fortunately, it appears most people disagree.
Victim describes theft of chickens
According to a report in the Reporter-Herald, members of the Denver group entered Long Shadow Farm in Berthoud, Colorado. They were apparently disguised as volunteers who wanted to help at the farm, which planned to process about 100 birds for slaughter.
Long Shadow Farm co-owner Kristin Ramey told the reporter that the activists asked her 8-year-old daughter to show them to a building where chickens were housed. They left the facility with three chickens, including a rooster that belonged to one of the farm’s customers. They also set three other chickens free, but workers at the farm were able to round up those three.
Grandstanding on Facebook
While falsely representing who you are and taking animals that don’t belong to you are both audacious moves, what they did next takes audacity to a whole new level.
The group posted on Facebook a video of about 20 people in matching green “Denver Baby Animal Save” t-shirts. They held hands, identified themselves by at least a first name, and explained why they were participating in the “ action.” Whether they identified themselves by their real names remains in question, since lying about their identities is something they apparently did at Long Shadow Farm.
Some of the reasons given for participation in the “rescue” were:
- “I wanted to show the world that doing the right thing is the right thing, and other beings are under appreciated and we appreciate them.”
- “You should really be morally right, morally just. You should step in and prevent violence from happening.”
- “I believe everyone should know what love and freedom is.”
- “The three beautiful beings … would have died for no crime that they committed, and that is wrong.”
All involved had their faces clearly shown, naïve to or apathetic to the fact that what they did is not condoned by a society of laws.
Convicted by court of public opinion
Did Denver Baby Animal Save think that when they posted that video online that everyone would pat them on the back for being kind?
If so, there was likely an element of surprise when people started leaving comments in response. Yes, there were a few commenters that gave the extremists praise, but far more condemned their behavior and pointed out that what they did was illegal.
Here are a few of the responses:
- “Tell the truth. You stole from an 8-year-old girl. You asked if you could hold her chickens, the chickens she took great care of and were friendly because of her love, and then you took them.”
- “O.K., cops! Go get them! They made your jobs easy because you have them openly admitting their crimes and telling you their name(s)!”
- “Gross. Maybe you should rescue something that needs rescue versus well-cared-for livestock. There is no shortage of animals in need.”
- “How were these chickens suffering? From my understanding, these animals were a little girl’s pets. How do you justify taking her animals? Are you going to start stealing people's dogs and cats next?”
- “Please return these innocent birds to their human family, home, and flock. You have done more damage to their short lives than you can possibly understand.”
- “I'm pretty sure that y’alls group doesn't understand the word ‘rescue.’ Rescue is saving a dog that's living on the streets, not a few chickens that eat better (than) most people.”
- (There are) plenty of homeless people in Denver. You want to do good? Help them, instead of stealing people's property. The real babies you need to save are yourselves. Grow up!”
No matter how you slice it, theft is theft and what they boasted about doing is wrong. We can only hope that if these individuals are prosecuted, the court will see things the same way the Facebook users do, and the sentences will be firm.
And as these people go out for their next job interview, it would only make sense that potential employers will not give them a second look.
After all, if you’d steal from a family business, what’s to say you won’t steal from your own employer?
